Archive for the ‘Designer Spotlight’ Category
February 14th, 2013 | 
Author: 
BLANCO has appointed talented interior designer Marilyn G. Russell, Allied ASID of Design Manifique to the BLANCO Design Council. This panel of elite bloggers and residential designers serves as an industry design forum and influential resource for homeowners with makeover aspirations. Through their network of blogs, the Design Council provides the latest updates in products news, kitchen/home design trends and inspirational ideas.
“We are very excited to welcome Marilyn to the BLANCO Design Council,” states Christy Emens, marketing communications manager for BLANCO. “She brings a fresh perspective from the world of interior fashion and anyone who visits her website and blog comes away feeling inspired by beautiful design elements and exceptional color theory.”
About Design Manifique and Marilyn Russell
Marilyn G Russell, Allied ASID, is the co-owner and principal designer of Design Magnifique, a boutique interior design firm located in Orlando, FL that creates contemporary and vibrant interior spaces. Her blog, www.design-magnifique.com, is a compilation of all things related to interior design including trends, products, and design inspiration while encouraging you to embrace color. Occasionally, you will find a post about overcoming challenges in the industry from a business perspective.
The BLANCO Design Council is an elite group of professional design bloggers that offer valuable and in-depth insights into the world of kitchen and home renovation.
Posted in Designer Spotlight | 
Tags: blanco design council, Design Manifique, Interior Design Magazine, Marilyn Russell | 
Comments Closed
The following guest post by Kelly Morisseau first appeared on her blog – Kelly’s Kitchen Sync. Kelly Morisseau is a member of the BLANCO Design Council and allowed us to repost this story which generated a comment about its BLANCO sink:
Hi Kelly, I started reading your blog and LOVE it. I am obsessed with that Blanco Kitchen Sink in this post.
So of course – we had to share. Here is Kelly’s post:
Last week, I posted a companion piece to Kitchen and Bath Ideas magazine, “One Kitchen, Two Budgets” article: the budget kitchen version. This week we’re going to look at the no-holds-barred-okay-maybe-some custom version.
Here’s the cost-savings kitchen layout from last week:
Here’s the custom version for this week:
A FLOATING ISLAND CONCEPT
Dividing walls are gone — they are not helpful if your guests are mingling between fabulous other rooms and the kitchen. My vision (apparently) was the concept of “floating” materials – the back glass-door cabinets are “floating” off the floor (conveniently hiding the new sink area), and the rest of the island hovers through a “picture frame” in what used to be the sink wall. 
NEW PANTRY AND INTEGRATED REFRIGERATOR
The new pantry has custom doors that glide open but the interior structure of the pantry doesn’t change. You also don’t notice a refrigerator because it’s integrated with the pantry on the left wall – it’s the “pantry” doors furthest away. See the dark cubicles above the entire pantry area? They’re for artwork, but also for another idea – two of them are open in the back so that the light from the kitchen penetrates into the pantry area itself.
COOKTOP AND OVEN WALL
This is what you saw in the magazine…well, Kitchen and Bath Ideas hired an illustrator to come up with a much prettier version of this. What you can’t see here – the space below the Bisque painted wall cabinets are appliance garages, 8” deep for spices, oils, peppers, salts and knife blocks. The counter with the induction cooktop is a version of a waterfall counter – 3″ thick counter which spills over the sides of the section to the floor. They look like legs here. The backsplash is a combination of a boxed out tiled detail behind the cooktop and Concetto Gray Agate backlit on either side.
A couple of caveats:
- These graphics aren’t stellar so the color doesn’t pop like I wanted them to. Colors would be much richer and the textures would play off on each other if this was real.
- I have the lighting plan all in my head but it’s not in here, sadly.
- Computer graphics don’t really get the materials – I’ll show you some of the goodies.
- For those of you who thought we got a deal on the Concetto (the colorful backsplash on either side of the range wall priced in the magazine, you’re right. My apologies. I priced a remnant from a supplier and I should have bought it because I’ll never get another incredibly hot deal like that again in my lifetime.)
- If I was designing this in real life, I would have revisited those two dark wall cabinets on either side of the hood. Time was tight and I think I might have eliminated them entirely.
This was the material I was discussing in the disclaimers above: the Caesarstone Concetto Gray Agate 8311 backlit wall panels on either side of cooktop. Definite high-end and luxury material.
Hood backsplash material: Porcelanosa Jersey Antracita 12×35 Here’s another look:
ISLAND MATERIALS
Pendant set within the wall opening: Corbett Lighting Shoji medium light, 105-42 10” wide x 19” h
Flooring: Porcelanosa Toscano Antracita, 7 x26 “Wood” Tile
Column Opening (walls were tiled in around the frame): PorcelanosaTalis Beige, 8 x 13
Crystal cabinets: “Slate” stained wood, and EV Cherry slab. Ignore door style on left – this was for color
Island sink: BLANCO 440408 Precis Multilevel 1-3/4 with Drain, in Anthracite with accessories
Posted in Designer Spotlight |
Tags: BLANCO Silgranit, Kelly Morisseau, kitchen sink, Kitchen Sync |
Comments Closed
Cheryl Kees Clendenon at In Detail Interiors in Pensacola, Florida submitted this stunning kitchen makeover story. Restrictive walls and a tight budget were no match for In Detail as they converted this Bayou kitchen into something truly special for a young family.
Simple Style. Gracious Details.
Worked late nights on the stain…may not appear to be that tough but, you know it when you hit it!
This lovely home is situated on a small bayou with glorious views. The young homeowners requested a large open kitchen with adjacent dining to take in the expansive views of the water. Tremendous effort went into the custom stain on the spacious island to hit just the right shade of warmth with a slight green cast. Rifted oak, (yes oak!), was used on the island with simple detailing to accentuate the natural wood grain. All of the cabinetry was custom designed and fabricated.
The island is centered on a wall of cabinetry housing the range and a minimalistic white hood. White paint was selected to contrast with the darker floors and countertops. We used Caesarstone quartz Raven for a modern classic look on the countertop – with an unusual 2×12 size glass tile used on the backsplash in an offset pattern.
The sink selection was BLANCO SILGRANIT II which we specify frequently. For a young family, the sink needs to be durable and keep it’s look through dropped pans, knives and forks. BLANCO SILGRANIT II also allowed us to sacrifice nothing and stay within our budget.
BLANCO sinks keep their look through everyday abuse.
The other wall of cabinetry is used primarily as a hutch area and ancillary serving area while the island and expansive range wall is used for day-to-day prep work. The door by the ovens and hutch area lead only to the service area for the laundry room and back door with a pantry adjacent on the opposite side. This simple kitchen lends itself to an earlier time of a simple style done with gracious details.
Objectives
- Keep material selections and related costs to a “cost benefit” ratio of getting most bang for the buck
- Open floor plan good for entertaining and conducive to young family
- Simple styling but nice appointments
- Desired a “white” kitchen but did not want a country kitchen or too traditional
Design Challenges
- Original floor plan had flanking walls where the pantry and hutch wall is located not deep enough for countertops and uneven with other side (we simply pulled the wall out more and created a small “hall” for the pantry doors to be recessed into)
- Working within a tight budget
- Getting the island to be PERFECT stain color
- Used a more modern countertop and backsplash selection to keep the
space from appearing too country
Design Solutions
- Pulled out the pantry wall on right side to create a more attractive recessed view of doors and this also gave us more room for countertops
- CAREFULLY considered every decision for budget and only made sacrifices where it would not impact design
- Worked late nights on the stain…may not appear to be that tough but when you “see” it in your mind, you will know it when you hit it!
- Created a pullout pantry to act as a large and functional “filler” for the ovens to not be up against that wall. This allowed the ovens easier access as well as gave us a nice pullout pantry for every day staples
Special features
- Custom stained island crafted from Rifted oak
- Unusual size of glass tile for backsplash 2×12
- Drift glass inserts in hutch cabinets
- expansive windows to take in the view from kitchen even though technically a interior space
- Pull out pantry which is excellent use of 7 square feet!
Posted in Designer Spotlight |
Tags: bayou, BLANCO sink, Cheryl Kees Clendenon, in detail interiors, kitchen design makeover, pensacola florida, SILGRANIT II |
Comments Closed
BLANCO Design Council members will join Modenus BlogTour Cologne to visit the imm cologne Living Kitchen trade show in Germany, January 14-17. This impressive group of over 30 design bloggers will scour the show for the latest products and trends in kitchen design. BLANCO Design Council members attending the trip include Susan Serra, Paul Anater, Cheryl Kees Clendenon, Andie Day, Jamie Gold, Grace & Ken Kelly, Nick Lovelady, Kelly Morisseau, Veronika Miller and Leslie Clagett.
Follow the action on twitter @blancoamerica and with hashtag #BlogTourCGN
The theme for BLANCO at imm cologne/Living Kitchen is: A PASSION FOR PERFECTION. BLANCO presents stateof-the-art ideas on every aspect of the modern sink center and with a particular passion for perfection.
LivingKitchen, Hall 4.2
Stand C-020/C-029
Posted in Designer Spotlight |
Tags: Andie Day, BlogTour, Cheryl Kees Clendenon, Cologne, Grace Kelly, IMM Cologne, jamie gold, Kelly Morisseau, Ken Kelly, Leslie Clagett, Living Kitchen, Modenus, nick lovelady, paul anater, Susan Serra, veronika miller |
Comments Closed
BLANCO SILGRANIT II Precis Super Single Sink
Located in Atlantis, Florida there was an outdated kitchen that needed to be revived. We asked designer Gloria Graham (www.kitchensforliving.net) how she conquered this challenging project.
Why did the homeowner need a change? Cabinets were dated and paint was peeling. She liked the original kitchen and its layout, but it was time for something new. Keeping her footprint, we updated the design. In the process we were able to incorporate the products on her wish list and even improve storage and workflow.
Tell us about what inspired you to come up with the design. Well, mainly I wanted to increase functionality of the kitchen space in a creative way. I came up with the British Colonial idea using the “X” motif and rattan inserts in some of the doors. She was not up for the rich dark Mahogany finish that is the hallmark of this style. This was mainly because this kitchen is located in the center of the house with not much natural light. The Espresso color would have made it too dark. As far as the layout, one of my first thoughts was to remove the soffit on the range wall to allow the hood to become a focal point reaching to the ceiling. Upper cabinets on both ends sit on the counter to house the coffee maker on one side and toaster oven on the other keeping them out of sight. The size of the island was increased for more storage and counter space. I also felt it was important to have ample counter space next to the new 48” refrigerator and double ovens. A microwave drawer tucked behind the peninsula completes the package.
What are the highlights of the new kitchen? Cabinets are maple with a light stain and darker glaze and rattan panels to tie in adjoining dining room furniture. They were designed by me and custom built by Brendan Donovan Furniture & Cabinet Co. (www.Brendandonovancabinets.com). Her appliances are Wolf, Subzero, Thermador (gas range top) and Bosch for the dishwasher.
The feature that the home owner absolutely loved was a durable BLANCO SILGRANIT II Precis Super Single Sink in white. Not only did it work with the styling of the kitchen, but the scale allowed us to utilize the space to its maximum potential.
So can we call it a success? Oh, absolutely! The homeowner was thrilled with the end result. She loves her new kitchen and her favorite part is the new BLANCO Sink. It was amazing how we increased the storage space and functionality of the kitchen. We also lightened and brightened up the space with a traditional tropical feel.
Maple Cabinets
"X" Design Element
Lovely Counter Space
A Masterpiece Kitchen!
Posted in Designer Spotlight |
Tags: BLANCO, Faucet, Gloria Graham, gloria graham-sollecito, kitc, Sink |
Comments Closed
This post is provided by Andie Day, a designer/blogger in Boston, MA. She organized the #InStyleTour 2012 event in Boston, MA with Todd Vendituoli of BuildingBlox.
For #InStyleTour 2012, we developed a model of a luxury city apartment featuring Blanco products and Giovanni DeCunto’s art work for our (virtual) client/muse, the sophisticated gentleman and talented actor, Mr. Daniel Craig.
The project was inspired by the parallels between the characteristics of a sophisticated gentleman and Blanco today. Additionally, inspiration came from artist Giovanni DeCunto’s new collection and how it speaks to our sophisticated clientele who are dedicated to their artful lifestyles.
The self-made, sophisticated gentleman chooses Blanco products in the kitchen for three main reasons which I’ve outlined below.
1. Integrity. Courteous and kind; hence, a man distinguished for fine sense of honor, strict regard for his obligations, and consideration for the rights and feelings of others. A well-mannered and considerate man with high standards of proper behavior. This is the code of the sophisticated gentleman.
Family-owned BLANCO commits itself to respect ethical business principles and since 1994 has been a member of the Caux Round Table (CRT), an international network of principled business leaders and companies working to promote a moral capitalism. They are recognized as a world leader in quality, innovation and unsurpassed service.
2. Well-equipped. The sophisticated gentleman demands precision and excellence from the design elements and technology he surrounds himself with. This is never more important than in the kitchen. He looks for superior products and appliances with a commercial look and strong physical features.
Blanco products, especially the specific models I’ve included, are well suited for the sophisticated male. All are organized with systems and processes that result in time savings, high function and contribute to the healthy lifestyle the sophisticated gentleman has so diligently designed.
3. Modern aesthetic. Our sophisticated gentleman is an art lover. He gravitates to art. He is informed by art. He surrounds himself with art. He pursues an artful lifestyle. He sees art within the design elements and technology that surround him. He demands precision and excellence from both.
From sleek faucets to handsome sinks, each of Blanco’s kitchen products are designed with a distinct modern look which appeals to the sophisticated gentleman.
For the sophisticated gentleman’s luxury city apartment model I chose five Blanco products which fit within the above criteria.
1. MircroEdge Blanco Flow. Featuring revolutionary MicroEdge® technology, BLANCO FLOW is more than a sink – it’s an architectural element. Gleaming stainless steel blends seamlessly with the countertop, creating the illusion of flushmount installation, from BLANCO STEELART®.
2. BLANCO ALTA™ Pullout Kitchen Faucet w/ Dual Spray. It features a modern, geometric design, streamlined spout and sleek, single-lever handle.
3. BLANCO Crystalline Single Bowl w/ Tray compact. Its hideaway design offers up clean lines, contemporary details, innovative features and premium quality. The integrated glass functions as a cutting board, visually hiding the sink while creating valuable counterspace in tight kitchen spaces. It’s easy to maintain, multifaceted with its integrated safety glass cover and functional details that respond to today’s kitchen trends.
I also love that it’s engineered for smaller spaces. Small metropolitan kitchens have always lacked in space. With CRYSTALLINE, there’s no reason why the space-deficient kitchen should suffer in either design or function.
4. BLANCO LINUS™ Pullout w/ Dual Spray. It pairs well with the Crystalline sink.
5. BLANCO SOLON™ Compost System. This earth-friendly feature contributes to healthy lifestyle that the sophisticated gentleman maintains.
About the #InStyleTour 2012
A select group of designer/bloggers gathered for our #InStyleTour 2012, a very special celebration of inspiration and excellence in art and design held on October 2nd. The two-part event was sponsored by Blanco and artist Giovanni DeCunto. Read more about #InStyleTour on the Andie Day Lifestyle Blog.
As many of you know Andie Day and I recently hosted an event in Boston called the #InStyleTour where BLANCO was featured. BLANCO was also gracious in sponsoring this event, which included area designers and bloggers and combined the beauty of BLANCO products with artwork by Giovanni DeCunto. To add to the event BLANCO offered a CULINA faucet and Giovanni offered a piece of art to be awarded to two guests in attendance.
The CULINA Faucet by BLANCO.
Painting by Giovanni DeCunto
Surely two great pieces of art!
Here Michelle Cortizo, the winner of the CULINA faucet,
with Christy Emens from BLANCO and Giovanni DeCunto.
Below is Laurie Gorelick who was the winner of the painting by Giovanni.
The idea behind #InStyleTour was to create an event that would have a high degree of interest at looking more into BLANCO’s product line and also combining that with art.
Now many companies do host events but in fact when you get there it’s all about their products and more of a sales pitch. InStyleTour is about bringing together people that have mutual interests and a common bond started through social media and continued on in real life. It’s about building personal relationships and community, bound together through social media, design and a common interest in products of high quality and lasting value.
As these communities are formed, they create a place where conversations happen and in hosting events like this, a lasting memory is formed by those that attend.
BLANCO understands the value in creating and nurturing these communities to advance awareness of, not only their products, but also the people that make BLANCO such a great company. They see the long-term value in building relationships with designers and bloggers and having events such as this creates memories of a great evening, wonderful conversations and beautiful products. That memory will be there long after the event has passed.
Posted in Designer Spotlight, Positive Vibes, Products |
Tags: CULINA, InStyleTour, Todd Vendituoli |
Comments Closed
If you’re in Boston this week, take a swing by designer Andie Day’s studio on Hanover Street. Andie’s Window on Design display features the new BLANCO CERANA fireclay sink and CULINA Semi-pro faucet, in a fun “champagne and cupcakes” city living theme. Sweet!
BLANCO on display in Boston.
You can also enter to win the CULINA Semi-pro faucet by leaving a comment on Andie’s blog.
The window display will be up through the end of this week.
Special thanks to BLANCO Design Council member Andie Day and her team for this opportunity!
Sweet window display.
Poggenpohl cabinetry, BLANCO PRECISION™ STEELART sinks and award-winning BLANCO CULINA™ faucets capture the ultimate in high-style kitchen indulgence in new Porsche Design Store
Poggenpohl and BLANCO team up to create a luxurious VIP kitchen and cash wrap in the newly opened Porsche Design store in SoHo, New York City – being touted by the
Porsche Design Group as the world’s largest Porsche Design Store, 465 West Broadway, New York, NY.
Furnished with Titanium grey custom melamine cabinetry by Poggenpohl, the stylish kitchen serves as a place where VIP customers can relax and drink a cappuccino from the Miele Coffee System. The BLANCO PRECISION STEELART sink graces the kitchen with its satin polished finish and stylish drain grooves for improved functionality. The CULINA complements the sink with its magnetic hook up and flexible hose for maximum entertainment possibilities. The sleek and visually stunning Silestone countertop provided by Peter Brooks Stone Works, gives the elegant kitchen a flow of grace and welcoming appeal for VIP customers. The kitchen lounge area and cash wrap is designed to encourage customers to spend more time in the store, bringing the luxury brand icon to life in a home-like setting.
For more information, visit: http://nydowntown.poggenpohl.com/en/news/3941.html
Posted in Designer Spotlight, In the News |
Tags: BLANCO, BLANCO CULINA, New York, poggenpohl, Porsche, Porsche Store Soho |
1 Comment »
Kelly Morisseau, www.kellyskitchensync.com
We welcome Kelly Morisseau to the BLANCO Design Council – an elite group of designers and bloggers. Kelly Morisseau is the writer of Kitchen Sync, a popular design blog focusing on kitchens, baths, residential design, and generational behavior trends. She is also author of Kelly’s Kitchen Sync, a insider’s guide on avoiding common kitchen design errors. A second-generation designer, Kelly’s award-winning experience includes more than 25 years as a professional designer. She has served as judge for both U.S. and Canadian N.K.B.A national design competitions, written for trade publications, and been featured in design magazines. She is a Certified Master Kitchen and Bath Designer (C.M.K.B.D.) and a Certified Interior Designer (C.I.D.) in northern California. www.kellyskitchensync.com
For inspiration and ideas about kitchen design, please visit our Design Council member websites.
Posted in Designer Spotlight |
Tags: BLANCO, Design Council, Kelly Morisseau, Kitchen Sync |
1 Comment »
- May 2013
- April 2013
- March 2013
- February 2013
- January 2013
- December 2012
- November 2012
- October 2012
- September 2012
- August 2012
- July 2012
- June 2012
- May 2012
- April 2012
- March 2012
- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- November 2010
- October 2010
- September 2010
- August 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009
- December 2008
- November 2008
- October 2008
- September 2008
Blanco America
Promote Your Page Too
Blanco® is a registered trademark of Blanco GmbH + Co. KG.
